Fourth Period: 10:58am to 11:41am
Fifth Period: 12:16pm to 12:59pm
Sixth Period: 1:02pm to 1:50pm
The Constitution Notes & Close Readings
Over the course of the unit, you will be taking notes based on what you are reading the Constitution Translated book as well as presentation slides. Your notes should include the following sections:
Comparative Politics (The Three Branches)
Article I
Article II
Article III, IV, V, VI, VII
Bill of Rights
The Constitution Writing Project
Over the course of the unit on the Constitution, you will be writing your own constitution based on what you know about the US system of government and other systems around the world. Your constitution can be for an existing country, or for a fictional country and must include:
1) The Preamble • 5 points
The introduction to your constitution; this should state what you want your constitution to accomplish.
2) Article I • 10 points
The Legislature. You should explain how your legislature will function. Is it unicameral? Bicameral? How are representatives elected or chosen? How long are their terms in office? What powers does your legislature have?
3) Article II • 10 points
The Executive. You should explain how your executive will function. Is the executive a part of the legislature like in most parliamentary systems or is it an independent branch like in the United States? Why did you choose this system? How is your chief executive selected? Is the executive strong or are their powers ceremonial? Also, how will the bureaucracy function?
4) Article III • 10 points
The Judiciary. How much power will the judiciary have? Will the court system have broad powers of judicial review or will their mandate be more narrow? How will judges and justices be selected? How long will their terms in office be?
5) Article IV • 10 points
Miscellaneous. Will your nation be a unitary or federal state? Will you enshrine an official language into the constitution? Will your nation be officially neutral? Be creative!
6) Spelling and Grammar • 5 points
7) Bill of Rights • Extra Credit (up to 10 points)
Come up with ten rights that need to be enshrined into your nation's founding document. Each right is worth one point.
8) Creativity • Extra Credit (up to 10 additional points)
Print out your Constitution on an oversized sheet of paper, crumple it up, and design it however you see fit!